Laser Safety Training

Initial In Person Laser Training
Retraining

Online retraining is done through your Canvas dashboard.

Laser Safety training at Case Western Reserve University is based on the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard Z136.1. Some of the topics covered are:

  • The electromagnetic spectrum and its optical portions,
  • Laser light characteristics and distinctions,
  • Dangerous Lasers,
  • Laser exposure limits and terms,
  • Nominal Hazard Zone and Ocular Hazard Distance,
  • Ultraviolet Region Hazards and Characteristics,
  • Bioeffects of lasers and
  • Laser warning signs and labels.

Who should train?

Laser Safety provides guidance for individuals who work with high-power Class 3B and Class 4 lasers and laser systems that operate at wavelengths between 180 nm and 1 mm. You are not required to train if you are using lower class lasers or laser enclosed instruments (confocal microscopes, flow cytometers, etc) under normal use.

In-person training

If you are a new worker or are more than a year out of date, you must train in person. Sign up online or call 216.368.2906 to schedule an in-person training session.

Can I train online?

Those who have attended in-person training may take advantage of our online retraining course, which will fulfill the requirement for employees working with class 3B and 4 lasers. If you’ve already had training, you must retrain online every 2 years. If you are a new worker or are more than a year out of date, you must register for in-person training. 

How to sign up

All online training is done through Canvas. Log in and visit your portal to review your required training courses. The quiz link will appear in Canvas when the training is complete. Be sure to complete the quiz after the training to get credit.

If you do not have a CWRU ID, you will not be able to access this training through Canvas. Please contact the Radiation Safety Office at 216.368.2906 and provide them with your email address. You will be sent a manual training and quiz in .pdf format.